Lightning Blue

Hahaha I am out of the running Karrots, as was the Aussie Cheerleader BUT after Tiger Tara getting beaten a nose by Natalie and THE FIXER in 2018 , i dropped my Pom poms and the Aussies are now 'Has-beens' lol Lightning Blue managed to 'Snavel' the Cup last century, and an old Tassie horse won 2 Cups this century aided by outstanding Anthony Butt drives . FLASHING RED. since then leading Oz trainers John Justice got 2nd twice with Smokin Up , and the McCarthy's 3rd with FOR A REASON. we are old hat indeed , in taking out an NZ Cup. So HAPPY SUNRISE can take the Cheer-leading Duty , duty on >>>>>>> for the southerners. P.S Fun-fact for you Karrots>>> A horse named HAPPY SUNRISE ran in the 1987 Nz Cup . He finished unplaced . the winner of that race LIGHTNING BLUE lol.

Thanks for that Robert. I guess you are right and it will be a horse merry-go-round like they do at all the 'gallops' meetings. Those thoroughbreds incapable of standing there for hours on end. In my day , whether Auckland, Moonee Valley, Albion Park or country tracks everyone arrived before the first , and were pretty much still there at the last race. I nominated 6 horses every midweek and Sat Albion, and 6 on a Friday night Redcliffe for years, As that was what would fit on my truck. Even today that is still the same for Dixon, McMullen , Butler , and many other trainers still operating. The horses are all there for the duration of the meeting. Albion Park has brilliant stable area in Brisbane , but still only holds about 120 horses max. If they are lucky enough to have a 'shuttle' driver there at Addington to whizz horses back and forth , that's well and good. Doesn't happen Albion or Most Oz harness locations actually , because of the distances involved from the racetrack to home stable. And I can tell you the draining 'pressure' of 6 drives is enough for one day too. Imagine by drive 10 at Kaikoura, for some of those old boys there , in the distance races you have there as well, some decisions made are going to be not well calculated. Would be a test of mental as well as physical indurance. good luck to them.

Well on a 'packed ' program was wondering about the logistics of all this. With No NZ Sunday harness meeting, when often you have one, would'nt it be better to have a 2 Day Carnival at Addington for these 16 races of capacity fields? Fatigue for some drivers a possibility, can Stabling area accommodate that number ? or will they be tied to the floats in the car park? like we do at the 'Shows' around Oz. A team like Robert Dunn's with about 30 horses racing has to get them all to the course , extra trucks needed , etc. Seems would of been ideal situation to have 2 days of 8 races than 'Bust the seams' of all the logistics.

More likely the North Island to be out of the placings. somewhere like ............ South Coast Arden 5th, Copy That 6th, Bad To The Bone 7th, Kango 8th , or Dance Time 9th. My assessment sees Self Assured (with no handicap after easy win last year), A 'Dunn' runner , and either PembrookP or Laver making up the placings.

Yes , I took him too in a multi. What a great trotter. Gives his absolute best every time and a true credit to his trainer. A pleasure to see him race. He did super well in Oz and picked up some group 1's. Pretty hard chasing Sundees Son all the time at home. In the pacing brigade there's a couple who would just 'Win them In a Row' in Oz , but don't get the rewards they deserve chasing Allstars and Diamonds all the time. LAVER and PEMBROOK PLAYBOY.

Well , yes and No........ I was quite happy to back Muscle Mountain out of the mobile Monday , and kiwis love their trotters so some are ok to bet on I guess. Menangle NSW yesterday had 4 trots/4 paces but all were mobile starts so all good. Albion Park had a trot stand yesterday, and I 'stupidly' put in 5 spot multi , the $1.60 nz bred Majestic Son mare, SUGARANDSPICE risking the stand manners. She won easily from a mobile 3 starts back , and after galloping out or standing flat footed , she still won her next 2 starts as well, for Pete McMullen. Of course she stood flat-footed again and gave them 130m start so too much yesterday. (actually caught up and ran to 4th at one stage, staggering really) so I paid Pay the penalty breaking your rules 1 and 2 combined unfortunately. (swear it's true i had the other 4 legs come in too) Regarding rule 3. Yeah , always take your favourite drivers and jockeys . they sure make a difference to your chances often enough.

The absolute main reason , that blokes tell me at the TAB here in OZ, that harness racing NZ (and Oz with most) being Not supported by them > is because of the chances of the runner they punted on galloping out the back and not being in the contest , (and/or getting blocked for a run towards end of race) These ideas are very prominant in their minds. 10 blokes I know at local TAB won't even watch a harness race, let alone punt on one. I tell them easier to pick than gallops , but they don't believe me. NZ especially ! big fields on occasion , and those wretched standing starts. recipe for disaster. Local Oz harness far more likely to be 10 horse fields and mobile starts. slightly easier to assess. They had a horrid stand start in QLD during the winter carnival, for the fast class > and the great kiwi horse SPANKEM turned up (a 1.47.7 miracle mile winner) and promptly 'Lost Driver' at start. at $1.50 win odds . A slap in the face for the punters , who just don't/won't bother after. betting on that product.

And another real Excellent Stable (lol) seen here winning a heat as well , at the expense of the Field Commander on this occasion. Place Book Horse Barrier Hcap Stakes Time Margin Driver Trainer 1 11 Motor Power 11 fr 17,500.00 3-24.3 J O'Sullivan Jim O'Sullivan 2 3 Letterkenny Lad 3 fr 5,600.00 3-24.5 J W Langdon John Langdon 3 14 Rowleyalla 14 fr 2,800.00 3-24.9 K Rivett Keven Rivett 4 12 Gaelic Skipper 12 fr 1,400.00 3-24.9 D J Butcher Lew Driver 5 2 Gypsy Vance 2 fr 700.00 B M Mangos Bernie Hackett 6 16 Bold Sharvid 16 fr 0.00 J P Stormont Peter Blanchard & Peter Simpson 7 6 Starship 6 fr 0.00 R J Brosnan John Reedy 8 13 Tight Connection 13 fr 0.00 R M Cameron Roy & Barry Purdon 9 5 Lord Lenny 5 fr 0.00 F D Cooney Owen Purdon 10 10 Thorate 10 fr 0.00 B P Hancock Brian Hancock 11 4 Two Under 4 fr 0.00 V J Knight R Knight 12 7 Field Commander 7 fr 0.00 R T May Brian Saunders

Here's a good win for the Field Commander , against some Interdominion opposition. Place Book Horse Barrier Hcap Stakes Time Margin Driver Trainer 1 3 Field Commander 3 fr 17,500.00 2-02.6 R T May Brian Saunders 2 2 The Bru Czar 2 fr 5,600.00 2-02.8 G M Hillier Gary Hillier 3 9 Christopher Vance 9 fr 2,800.00 2-02.9 A G Herlihy MNZM Roy & Barry Purdon 4 6 Bold Sharvid 6 fr 1,400.00 2-02.9 J P Stormont Peter Blanchard & Peter Simpson 5 8 Captain Lee 8 fr 700.00 B M Mangos Jim Smith 6 4 Lord Lenny 4 fr 0.00 F D Cooney Owen Purdon 7 7 Starship 7 fr 0.00 R J Brosnan John Reedy 8 1 Almeta Boy 1 fr 0.00 S D Dove R Knight 9 10 Letterkenny Lad 10 fr 0.00 J W Langdon John Langdon 10 5 Chance With Vance 5 fr 0.00 A M Butt Les Purdon 11 11 Gasthof 11 fr 0.00 M R DeFilippi Gavin Mills 12 12 Rowleyalla 12 fr 0.00 K Rivett Keven Rivett

Homework for you Karrots . Have a look at Terror to Love Nz Cup starts on google u-tube. Nz cup 2012 when all horses were standing still as you would like . , Was very hard for horse reaction, as tape flies to all get away level. Horses galloping everywhere, and/or very slow with some. Then watch 2013 Nz Cup start. All these great drivers 'moving forward' at the start in contrast to year before . brilliant IMO. all away in a great line. It's so much better. Terror himself was the one galloping badly and went out the back by 10 lengths , AND then Still Won !! great effort . impressive stuff. you'll enjoy .

Don't worry about my thoughts Karrots. I hate the bloody things (standing starts) The TOP driver (Mark) was out of the sulky , and on the deck 2 weeks ago. (Regal Attire and someone else put out of race at start risking someone rearing and sitting in the sulky with you , etc etc) And we 'all' saw what happened with Muscle Mountain first up , back-peddling not even in race, on that same night. It's a disgrace. (a shambles anyway) This past week they both won super well !............... from a mobile start . I rest my case . Mobile starts Only please whenever/where-ever possible.

True, and Cox Plate is same, and Caulfield Cup in the past as well. Lots of overseas visitors are taking those 'very high profile in the world' races on too. Irish winning Cox Plate the other day. The scanning is a band-aid approach , that won't stop the Cup breakdowns. AntonyVanDyke,CliffsofMoher recently were horrific as you say. The Melbourne Cup a bit unlucky with casualties recent years it seems. and Plenty of controversy with 2 years ago MARMELO and ISPOLINI thrown out of race , with vet scans saying one thing and the connections saying another in some cases . scanning creating even more hysteria.? strongly suggests people are racing un-sound horses on purpose? so possibly not a great help with public perception at all. Perhaps they may of broke down if running in race, so the Vet opinion has saved them from disaster on the world stage and adding to the list of attrition. so scanning helping ? ...YOUNG WERTHER thrown out of this years Cup. Forced Scanning 'Intentions' are good, but descrimination is high, and public perception just a little more distorted.

Thank -you for posting that article Craigos ! Was very interesting , regarding races and Akuta's programs. Mark and Hayden have the opportunity to put harness racing 'Back on the Map' with their superstar. I think he could be the next LAZARUS imo. All the clubs and media need to Beat it Up when he does appear to promote the sport, and catch the public attention like Verry Elleegant/ Melody Belle at the gallops would. People used to flock to see Cardy, Young Quinn, Delightful Lady, Terror to Love, Courage Under Fire,.......... and not so sure with LAZARUS , as Mark's had that many good ones past few years lol.......... AKUTA has the potential to be the best of the lot.

Scan away. It won't change a thing. There are thousands of horses thundering up and down the tracks all over Oz and NZ everyday , and with those numbers will come break-downs. happens every day , racing or training. (even paddock) Just Like Human athletes, where the same thing happens, the Very ELITE often with injury. part of the risk of straining every sinew/tendon/muscle to be at the Elite level. Every horse (with their body weight) can strain/break something galloping up the race-track, training track and often just the paddock , at any old tick of the clock. think we've all seen it. The race horses are looked after as best as humanly possible while training , but injury disaster is a constant threat. No good just carrying on about Melbourne Cup runners. lately Brandenburg and Last years Cox winner Sir Dragonet (broke down and destroyed in training last week) are also casualties. Scanning the Cup runners won't stop it unfortunately

Do you think this will mean the Sires Stakes run in a couple of weeks time on Cup day , will be run for 2 year olds in another 2 years time? I guess they can have a 2 yearold and a three year olds division races on Cup day. Would be excellent. Anyone know if AKUTA is running this year in Sires Stakes ? or is Mark just winning it with Franco Indie ,instead of his own horse. (he is part owner of Akuta with Cullens)

Always have a great Cup week . The last 5 NZ Cups won , the last 5 Nz FFA's won , the last seven (7) x 3 year old Sires Stakes finals won. awesomeness. Here's 'American Pride' at the back, before running 5th today , on the far LEFT as they approach the 200m point . Not positioned to win at any stage. No good a horse going enormous when well favoured , in an average field and ask it to win from there.

What did you think of the drive Happy ? wonder why Mark not driving too? Olivia had a drive in the Sires Stakes R3 as well . seemed to be in all sorts of trouble with WILLOW BAY , when Mark went around the field on the winner . WB up on the steel then, and piling into the back of Gavin Smith a couple of times, who actually lifted his arm to fend off the trailing Willow Bay at that stage who was hitting him hard. Seemed like a high quality race for a junior driver ?... I don't know . i don't normally 'Pick-at' drivers too much . but her 2 drives today weren't up to scratch ? not a great look for a punter either...... any thoughts?.

Don't let it Karrots . Standing Starts have been awful since time began . many greats had trouble like Highland Fling and Lord Module at the start of the Cup and still won. It's a spectacular event. More thrilling for you being a 'Sweet Lou fan' (and for harness racing in general) is the continued competition being given by the TELFER stable. That 'Sweet Lou filly' was ultra impressive just then !! DARLING ME. Reminded me of her great mum , a NZ Cup winner ADORE ME . near on the 'Winx' of the harness world in her day. Ran 'sub 3.55' time to win the NZ Cup and in her last career start in Aus , won a Group 1 mile at Menangle , by 6 lengths in 1.47.7 !! 2 x gob-smacking achievements. No mare will ever get near that achievement again . Adore Me and Winx . 2 like never before or never again.

You're talking the countries 2 leading drivers and stables so no shock to see them being great at the 'start' as well as the 'finish' of the race. Classie Brigade is a NZ Cup placegetter one year , so Nobody is going to beat a horse of that calibre , sitting in the trail, sucked along up to the home straight, very easily. And If anyone missed race 2 today, a trot , the brilliant JOHN DUNN did a running start in that too!!! from the un-ruly as did the 'Cunning' Gavin Smith following in John's example. !! fantastic initiative , and both ran placings accordingly. Skill level of these drivers is amazing.

Karrots did you go to Auckland for the minor jewels when CHEEZEL and FOLKLORE raced so well ?? just looking at R8 today , the mares race . and they are 30-1 and 20-1 ? they went Brilliantly I thought at Auckland? 'A taste of Honey' was behind them in that and only 12-1 today. Think I'll take FOLKLORE .......... shes got a great finish on her and I rate Jonny Cox very highly as a driver.

Well what is the Go ? Mark to drive a double with Franco I and S Assured into some trotters in the big trot treble? Indiee-MMountain-SAssured = $6 Indiee-MMan-SAssured = $6 might as well take both I spose.

I can't recall a $2 shot ever being a 13 start maiden beaten 21 l, 22 l, 11 l and 28 lengths at it's last 4 starts. extroadinary.

Ash Vegas seems a rather cool 12 degrees today, so will need some hot tips to warm up. As I have breaky I see Vincent Vega (John Travolta) having a run in the first. Pulp Fiction a very 'unusual' type of cult movie, to say the least. Only problem is Vega didn't make it out alive in the movie , so hope not a bad omen for the horse ! lol. I'm on anyway.

Don't be disappointed. Am sure you'll find some even BettorMen with even BettorTips on this thread as the day progresses.

Agree totally with that Robert. Having raced horse in partnerships in NZ, Vic and Qld I always found the Owners always keen to have shares in the horse racing in their own area only. No -one was interested in retaining shares sending to Victoria as not only more expensive , but you just don't see them race. (If living and working Nz,) Used to be a progression thing of reach mark in Nz , sell to Vic, reach mark in Vic sell to Qld (then Tas or SA) thankfully Queensland is picking up many kiwi horses straight from your shaky isles now. KIWIS ARE FLYING a prime example , bolting in again last night in 1.54. now 6 from 7 +a 2nd. old Nz boy NORTHVIEW HUSTLER won the FFA ( beating our local hero COLT THIRTY ONE too. think he's had the biscuit (hasn't won this year shockingly) Also the plane -loads of Nz horses sent to WA were purchased for their Local stable clients. They didn't have a requirement for oversea's owners as well.